Hispanic Inspired Gifts - and some...do lots of Good!

Its been a few weeks of a lot going on at home and coincidentally not much in my packaging world. I am glad that the holidays are around the corner and some cheer its going to be easy to find almost anywhere.

My family does the secret santa raffle on Thanksgiving dinner, that day you know who you have to give so I thought why not make a post of Hispanic inspired gifts!

If you would like to give and do good I have noticed that there are a lot of institutions and sites that employ crafts people from Latin America to help them out. Why not give something different to your loved ones this year?..If you are not that much into crafty stuff you can still give an American Hispanic flaired gift like the Feed bags that are stylish and very well designed. Happy shopping!


1. Crate & Barrel Lime - Dual Citrus Squeezer $16.95
2. Andean Hat Nativity Ornament - Peru $10
3. "Feed Guatemala Bags" aprox $39
4. Cafe Press "I love Heart Boyfriend T-Shirt" $23.99
5. Buena Noches Luna Book $6.99
6. Mexican Glassware $26.55
7. Crate & Barrel Lima Alpaca Throw $169
8. OPI Yucatán If U Want Nail Color $6
9. Chulucanas Lamp Peru $64

Store brand: Triple Berry - Bran- Muffins

Not only I am comparing packages on the outside, this time I decided to bake some Triple Berry Bran Muffins from a box I bought at Trader's Joe. It was really easy to make and the results were very satisfying. Definitely the results reflected what the box design communicated, yummy, good, home style good tasking muffins with a touch of berries. Just the perfect treat for a fall afternoon.

Comparison: Store brand Baking Mixes vs Private Brand

I think buying a cake mix from the store is pretty straight forward. You combine ingredients and then wait for the yummy results. When I go shopping packaging design is paramount to me. The design has to have the communication points I am looking for including trust, efficiency and promise deliverance. The question is: Do you trust more mainstream brands like Betty Crocker or Pillsbury? or would you go and try private brands like "Baker Josef" from Trader's Joe?...

Packaging: Infant Toys "Sassy" going simpler

For some resason I had always think that white background packaging is cleaner and gets your concept understood faster. As I was mentioning before the trend is to go simple, less cluttered, I don't know why many products did not go this route a long time ago, but anyway, here is a sample of "Sassy"s infant toys   with a packaging with that kind of profile.

Iconic New York City Packaging - Duane Reade packs

I am definitely all for a simpler and cleaner package design. That does not mean that it should be plain, white and boring, on the contrary it could be a great challenge to make it even more creative and distinctive.
Look at this Duane Reade packs that used graphic icons inspired in New York City's landscapes and very little colors, yet the impact is big and the results awesome.

Retail Packaging: Chocolate Mexicano Taza

In a recent trip to Manhattan I wanted to take a break from all the crazy walking and why not do it in a very nice and gourmet place like the Plaza Food Hall by Todd English at the Plaza Hotel in midtown?...As I was ordering an iced coffee I noticed this great packaging of a Cafe Mexicano. Don't you agree is so simple yet so good quality looking, homey, nicely designed and most of all I wanted to get a sample of all of them to take home. So appealing!

Yummy Sugar Cookies from Scratch

When I am not analizing package designs at my supermarket I like to look for yummy things to bring back home, bake or prepare. As a buena Latina, I like to make this from scratch, (there is a believe that things just come out better!), so this time I tried a simple yet sweet and delicious recipe I found here.

See the results for yourself, enjoy!

Ben & Jerry's "tweaking" their labels

From Associated Press
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's is dropping the phrase "all natural" from all labels after a request from a health advocacy group.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest and the company confirmed the move Monday.

The CSPI told the company last month it should not use "all natural" if products contain alkalized cocoa, corn syrup, hydrogenated oil or other ingredients that are not natural.

Ben & Jerry's, a unit of consumer products giant Unilever, said it's not changing any recipes. It's just removing the label from all products, whether they are among the majority that contain at least one of the ingredients CSPI listed or not.

The Food & Drug Administration has no formal definition for "natural." But it won't object to term as long as products do not contain added color, artificial flavors or synthetic substances....

For complete article: click here

Welcoming Autumm with Apple Crisp

Is that time of the year where you can go apple picking or find great produce in your local farm, so why not take advantage and prepare some yummy desserts at home to share with the family and friends?
As a good Latina I like to prepare my desserts from scratch, but this time wanting to save time and do something different I went ahead and tried the "Apple Crisp Mix" from Concord Foods and the results where delicious. A few pictures from the process. Enjoy!

Book cover design: Sometimes the simplest designs are the most powerful

Sometimes the simplest designs are the most powerful.

Design Refresh: "Sierra Mist" Lemon - Lime Soda

I have to say that the "7up" clear and light soda flavor has come a long way. For the past few years every time I have had to buy a clear lemon-lime soda I just didn't think twice and bought "Sierra Mist".  I wasn't sure if it was because of the sweeter taste or brand name, now I actually I think its both!
In the past few months or better say more than a year I have noticed that many brands are leaning towards a more simple package design. Whiter backgrounds, more sans serif typography, clear faces and more graphic icons are a trend now.
Incorporating this design cues the new "Sierra Mist" soda can refresh shows just that. Current package reflects better design choices with a clearer whiter background that reflects the actual transparent being of the product, soda bubbles and motion liquid that give a sizzling effervescent sensation, better lemon and lime images, and excelente use of typography playing with levels of hierarchy.
The completed design feels like a Hispanic person that immigrated to the US years ago now is totally acculturated.

Comparison: Store branded Pantiliners vs Kotex's

This time for my comparison post I decided to use a feminine product that I thought on first impression would be quality comparable. 

About design: The presentation of both this boxes have a lot in common, white clean background, wavy shapes, handwritten styled letters, flowers and warm colors. On the other hand Kotex's box is much better because has some items that call into detail like its sizing chart on the left bottom and the back diagram.

About box material: Kotex's box cardboard is much stiffer and of better quality look and feel. It's even easier to open and did not rip at all like the CVS one. 

About the product: Well this time the store branded one, left a lot to wish for in terms of quality. 

Packaging: How bigger an expiration date can help

How many times have I purchased items that were very close to expire! I really don't like that. Either I don't have time to go back to the store to exchange it, the purchase was just a few dollars so oh well, etc.
In a recent trip to the supermarket I got two brands of milk and while stocking them in my fridge I realized how different the expiration date size was. I don't think it was a matter of design but I really appreciate the bigger sized date on my "Nature's Promise" milk carton.

Recycling, quiero reciclar

Recycling is not only great for the environment it is also a great way to save money if you are redecorating or looking for inspiration.
Lately I have been searching for some Spanish vintage items to change the look of some areas of my home. Specially product containers, like "Leche" bottles that have their original typography on the glass...Not only original pieces give character to a space but also makes it look more personal, more you. In the hunt I found some interesting pieces that I am not sure my husband will approve but I just fell in love with this bathroom glass containers that I cannot wait to get.

Renewing over the weekend - Philadelphia, Pa

I hope you all had a great weekend! Even though we live in one of the largest cities in the world and there are so many places to go here, it is always more than refreshing to go out and explore new places. This time we went to Philly! What a nice historic place to go, great restaurants, stores, cute streets with plenty of stores to go into and awesome parks to take your kids to. I had to put a Latino twist of course to our trip and had a great dinner at the Brazilian churrascaria Fogo de Chao which I highly recommend. If you do there, don't forget to have a "crema de papaya" for dessert.

Peruvian Chef - Gaston Acurio on New York City Wine & Food Festival 2010

Image Source

The next Wine & Food Festival will be held in the big apple NYC in October. I am a fan of some of the Food Network's chefs and a great believer that good food is "the thing" that unite us all.  While looking at the event ads and promotion I was happy to find my compatriot Gaston Acurio, a chef and culinary celebrity in Peru who is promoting and working extensively in Peruvian food. His Bio will be coming up soon in the events site if you are interested in reading more. For the looks of it, the event is going to be a great one.

Comparison: "Store Brand vs. Brand" - Training Pants / Pull-Ups

Many times we think and feel that store branded products are of less quality and yes I have tried and tested many products like such to confirm its true. However sometimes (more now than before) you can come across store branded products that can make you smile and surprise you, like the CVS Training Pants I bought for my son recently. 

Regarding quality, this are absorbent enough and nice on touch and material. About its design: the characters that decor the training pant are really sweet and very nicely done. I am always picky that things have to be pretty, but best of all my son loves his fire truck theme pants just as much as he loves his "Go Diego Go" pull-ups branded ones. The packaging does not make you feel you are buying a less quality product, the design is good enough and more for being a store brand. Good job CVS!

Insight: What Topics do Latinas Prefer to Read?

The Latina woman enjoys reading about Beauty, Fashion, Health, Royalty Gossip & Food (new recipes)!

Latin Flavor: Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp for dinner

I love eating fresh and tasty meals. I think food makes a great part of the Latin culture and is one of those things that unite use because we share ingredients, flavors, dishes. I am starting this new section "Latin Flavor" so we can talk about some Latino yumminess.
What's for dinner tonight?
As you know I love to cook. Specially when its for my husband or friends who come over every now and then. This time instead of making the same old dishes I make during the week, I decided to make something that my hubby loves and that has great presentation but at the same time easy! This is my take on Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp for dinner on Tuesday!...my husband has Latin roots just like me so he appreciates fresh and "real meals".
Enjoy.